Audience-focused vs. traffic-focused

[lifefulfilled]

I have been conducting research on SEO techniques, and there seems to be two generally accepted approaches to SEO, audience-focused and traffic-focused.

Audience-Focused Approach

• Focuses on the audience;
• Content is written for the audience;
• Page metadata elements (e.g., title, alt attributes, etc.) are written for the audience;
• Engages audience to build reputation;
• Requires less off-site work;
• Traffic is not heavily influenced by search engine algorithm changes;
• Good for long-term traffic.

Traffic-Focused Approach

• Focuses on 'targeted' traffic;
• Content is written for search engines;
• Page is optimized to be keyword rich;
• Engages in link building;
• Requires more off-site work;
• Traffic can be heavily influenced by search engine algorithm changes;
• Good for short-term traffic.

These approaches may or may not include PPC and other Internet marketing techniques, and rarely would one find a site using solely one approach. I do think it gives a good summation of the two major approaches to SEO.

What do you guys think? Are there elements I have missed? Are there approaches I have missed? I am open to constructive criticism.

Note: This post does not include black hat approaches. I consider such techniques to be unethical.

[jackfranklin]

Nice advice hope fully follow it.These are the two main aspects we have to consider while doing.But I have one doubt that in these two methods which one is most appropriate.

[natashpro]

ideally, you want to be focused on both, but if push comes to shove, the long run calls for the audience-focused approach.

[operaentre]

Both are necessary to get conversions.

[mauco]

Yes, without a doubt both are necessary. But in the long run as natashpro stated you have to think of your audience - they are the pipers that should dictate your tune - since it's their attention/money you're after.

[SerialEntrepreneurs.]

You certainly need to address both areas you outlined; in addition you should work on link building and article distribution to get solid one way inbound links to your site.
You should also focus on Social Media optimization and target the right audience in web 2.0 environments.....moreover, be sure to spend a lot of time in your analytics and see the behavior on your site and act accordingly.

Hope this helps, for what it is worth, I am currently offering a Free copy of my SEO book, which sells for $30 on Amazon at AllFreeWebTraffic.com

Best of luck!

[Shell25]

I guess both are necessary, I've been focusing just on audience, though I'd really like to improve my traffic. Does anyone recommend a ppc company? I tried it by my own but it sucks!!

[Henryj]

I think the audience approach should be done and the traffic will come it self
But also, if you do either thing the other will come, eventually but you should always try to focus on audience

[Hdsn]

I guess both are necessary, I've been focusing just on audience, though I'd really like to improve my traffic. Does anyone recommend a ppc company? I tried it by my own but it sucks!!

I also believe a well developed audience will lead your traffic to improve, I guess it would be better if you take care of both at the same time. About the ppc company I highly recommend the one that pushed my conversions to sky, they're it'sclickzilla.

[Shell25]

I also believe a well developed audience will lead your traffic to improve, I guess it would be better if you take care of both at the same time. About the ppc company I highly recommend the one that pushed my conversions to sky, they're it'sclickzilla.

Thanks for your reply, I'm currently evaluating a few options on ppc companies though this page you suggested seems really appealing to me. Thanks again.

[lifefulfilled]

I have thought this concept over a few times. It seems with little money the best approach is to focus on developing an audience, and then with time the traffic will come. If you have the money, you can hit the floor running and with time the audience with develop.

Given where I am at these days, the best approach is audience-focused.

[Jenie0109]

the long run of course is for the audience approach..but a lot of techniques can be done on traffic approach even without money involved...effort should come along the way after all...